Las Vegas, NV – A Nevada mother is preparing to sue a Las Vegas child care center after she discovered her 9-year-old autistic son with his hands bound behind his back during pickup.
The incident occurred on March 20, and although police declined to pursue criminal charges, the mother, Kala Hall, is now seeking legal action, alleging negligence and potential abuse.
A Shocking Discovery
Hall told local CBS affiliate KLAS that when she arrived at Cherished Legacy Academy to pick up her son Kody, she was horrified to find him lying on his stomach, mouth open, and appearing lifeless.
“He appeared dead to me. He was on his stomach. His mouth was open. His head was tilted, and no one had an answer for me,” Hall said in the interview.
Kody, who has autism but is verbal, reportedly did not or could not explain to his mother what had happened.
Police Decline Criminal Charges
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department initially opened an investigation but later chose not to pursue charges, stating that “evidence does not support the claim that a crime was committed.”
Officers noted that Kody had been seen playing with a blanket that was wrapped around him, and one staff member reportedly claimed the children were “playing cops and robbers.”
Still, officers were unconvinced that Kody or another child could have bound him in such a way on their own.
Surveillance Footage Raises More Questions
After Hall brought the matter to KLAS Investigates, she was allowed to review surveillance video from inside the room where the incident occurred. According to Hall, Kody was not clearly visible in the footage, with only his feet reportedly seen by one staff member.
Hall, however, disputes the employee’s account:
“I find it very hard that she could not see him,” Hall said, adding that the same employee was allegedly on her cellphone at the time of the incident.
Legal Action Underway
Hall has retained attorney Ramzy Ladah of Ladah Law Firm, who told KLAS the case isn’t just about Kody:
“It’s about making sure day cares properly care for children and don’t abuse them,” Ladah said, indicating that a civil lawsuit is imminent.
He plans to hold Cherished Legacy Academy accountable for what he describes as a failure in supervision and care.
Child Care Center Responds
In a statement provided to KLAS, Cherished Legacy Academy said they “acted swiftly to communicate with the family, reported the incident to local authorities, and immediately conducted an internal investigation.” The Nevada child care licensing board also conducted a review but “did not indicate any violations” related to the incident.
Despite this, a spokesperson for Nevada’s Child Care and Development Program confirmed that an investigation is still ongoing.
Community Reaction and Broader Concerns
The case has sparked concern from parents and autism advocates, who worry that children with special needs may be particularly vulnerable in understaffed or unsupervised environments. Although Kody was physically unharmed, the emotional and psychological effects are yet unknown.
The outcome of the pending legal action could set a precedent for how child care centers handle supervision, particularly of children with developmental conditions.